Hinge assembly for toilet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet lid hinges constrain the shape of the lid and require significant space to rotate, leading to increased toilet size and cost, as well as interference with surrounding structures like toilet tanks, limiting lid layback and causing the lid to fall due to gravity.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a mounting base coupler and lid coupler, featuring multiple hinge members that rotate relative to each other, allowing the lid to move forward and upward, enabling greater than 90-degree opening without contacting the tank, and accommodating obstructions like ADA-compliant grab bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinges with two hinge members on opposite sides of the lid edge are used, then the lid can rotate about a single axis, but the lid shape is constrained to have a relatively flat edge and the toilet requires significant space to prevent interference with surrounding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into multiple hinge members (first hinge member, second hinge member, third hinge member) that can rotate independently about different axes. This segmentation allows each hinge member to contribute to the overall lid movement, enabling complex motion paths that reduce the space required while maintaining full rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly transitions from single-axis rotation to multi-axis rotation by introducing hinge members that rotate about different axes (first axis, second axis, third axis). This dimensional change allows the lid to follow a more efficient rotation path that reduces the horizontal space claim while maintaining operational functionality.
2Ease of operation
If conventional hinges are used to facilitate lid rotation, then the lid can open and close, but the lid must be separated from surrounding structures by a significant distance to avoid interference
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly uses multiple hinge members that can dynamically adjust their rotation angles independently. This dynamic capability allows the lid to rotate through a larger angle (greater than 90 degrees) while maintaining a compact configuration that reduces the minimum distance required from surrounding structures during the rotation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the rotation function across multiple hinge members with different rotation axes, the system can achieve the required lid separation from surrounding structures through a distributed rotation mechanism rather than requiring a large single-axis rotation arc.
3Ease of operation
If conventional single-axis hinges are used, then the hinge structure is simple, but the lid cannot achieve greater than 90-degree opening without contacting the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation function is segmented across multiple hinge members (first, second, and third hinge members) that rotate about different axes. This segmentation enables the lid to achieve greater than 90-degree opening by distributing the rotation across multiple joints, similar to how human limbs achieve complex motion through multiple joints rather than a single joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly adds rotational degrees of freedom by introducing hinge members that rotate about different axes (first axis, second axis, third axis). This dimensional expansion of the rotation mechanism allows the lid to access opening angles greater than 90 degrees while managing the complexity through modular hinge member design.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinges are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the lid shape is constrained and aesthetic flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-axis hinge assembly serves multiple functions: it enables various lid shapes (rounded, oval, irregular), allows greater than 90-degree opening, reduces space claim, and accommodates different toilet configurations. This universal hinge design replaces the need for conventional hinges and provides aesthetic flexibility while maintaining ease of installation as a single replaceable unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet includes a body, a lid assembly, and a hinge assembly. The body includes a bowl and a body top surface. The body top surface is contiguous with the bowl. The lid assembly includes a lid. The lid is configured to cover the bowl. The hinge assembly is operable between a first position and a second position. The hinge assembly includes a mounting base coupler, a lid coupler, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member. The mounting base coupler is coupled to the body top surface. The lid coupler is coupled to the lid. The first hinge member is coupled to the mounting base coupler and the lid coupler. The second hinge member is coupled to the mounting base coupler and the lid coupler. The lid covers the bowl when the hinge assembly is in the second position.